View source for WikiIndex:Community portal/News

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====2018 – bugs and updates====
It seems we have a few bugs affecting our WikiIndex wiki, so it would be a good idea to consolidate all known bugs in one place.  Furthermore, the MediaWiki software that powers our wiki is a little outdated (version 1.24.2), so it would be prudent to consider upgrading not only the core MediaWiki software, but also any requests for any new MediaWiki extensions.  Please report your bugs, raise your requests, or contribute to the discussion in the appropriate page listed below.
*[[WikiIndex:2018 bugs]]
*[[WikiIndex:2018 upgrade requests]]

====2017-12-14 – server move====
Folks, we would like to take the site offline and migrate WikiIndex to a new server on Tuesday, December 19th at 1:00PM Pacific Time (21:00 UTC). We anticipate the maintenance period will persist until 3:00PM Pacific Time (23:00 UTC).

Please let me know if this time is problematic.  And if folks could take a look afterwards to verify that all plugins and special site features are functioning correctly, that would be great. We don't anticipate any issues.

Thanks [[Raymond King]] | <small>[[User talk:Rathbone|talk]]</small>

:Rockin!! ~~ [[MarkDilley]]
::We've been working on the migration and it turns out that with all the extensions, it's a bit more difficult than we anticipated so we're going to regroup and try again, but probably not for a week or so.  Sorry and we'll keep you posted! [[Raymond King]] | <small>[[User talk:Rathbone|talk]]</small>

::Update: ETA Tues, Jan 9th around 1 or 2PM PDT for the migration [[Raymond King]] | <small>[[User talk:Rathbone|talk]]</small>

====2017-12 – Wiki.Wiki has closed ====
[[Archive.org:20171206010032/https://wiki.wiki/index.html|Homepage of wiki.wiki]] announces the end of the wiki farm wiki.wiki.  Moreover the domain <tt>WikiIndex.wiki</tt> is unavailable now. --[[User talk:Manorainjan|Manorainjan]] 17:04, 5 December 2017 (PST)</onlyinclude>

====2015-08-16 – server move complete?====
The server move is complete and has been for a while.  Please address any new or outstanding concerns about how the site is working to my talk page.  [[User:BrandonCsSanders|BrandonCsSanders]] ([[User talk:BrandonCsSanders|talk]]) 15:20, 16 August 2015 (PDT)

====2015-08-10 – new policy on files====
See [[WikiIndex:File deletion policy]] if you are interested in discussing our guidelines for which files should be allowed or remain on WikiIndex.

====2014-11-14 – upcoming  [[WikiIndex:ServerMove|ServerMove]], please add concerns====
Please help create a prioritized list of the most important aspects of WikiIndex that need to be preserved and addressed during the upcoming [[WikiIndex:ServerMove|ServerMove]]. -- [[User:BrandonCsSanders|BrandonCsSanders]]

====2014-11-01 – e-mail functionality works as expected====
With the help of [[User:Emufarmers|Emufarmers]] we got the server configuration right. The [[Help:E-Mail Verification|E-mail-verification procedure]] connected to the account creation procedure will work fine now, also with specific email providers like gmx.de or facebook.com. [[User:Manorainjan|Manorainjan]]

====2014-10-08 – new community tool in the works====
This is the Invitation2Invatations ;-)  On the new page '''[[WikiIndex:Invitations to get involved|Invitations to get involved]]''' you will find now the entry points of all ongoing work where You can get involved. [[User:Manorainjan|Manorainjan]]

====2014-09-27 – WikiCon 2014====
[[File:Wikicon 2014 logo Köln.png|200px|right]]
The annual gathering for [[:Category:GermanSpeakers|German-speaking]] Wikipedians [https://de.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiCon_2014 WikiCon 2014] takes place from October&nbsp;3&nbsp;to&nbsp;5 at Komed, Mediapark, [[:Category:Cologne|Cologne]], [[:Category:Germany|Germany]]. [[User:Manorainjan|Manorainjan]]

====2014-09-07 – getting the email function to work====
We took up this old issue again and are making good progress. First results are this [[Help:E-Mail Verification|List of domains]] on a new [[Help:Pages|help page]] that shows how to work around the problem until it is fixed. [[User:Manorainjan|Manorainjan]]

====2014-07-28 – Semantic MediaWiki re-enabled====
:From [[Emufarmers]]:  I've added a robots.txt file telling bots not to crawl the dynamically generated pages; it looks like in this case it was probably a well-intentioned spider.  I've re-enabled [[:Category:Semantic MediaWiki|Semantic MediaWiki]] for now, though I can't guarantee that I won't have to disable it again.~~ [[MarkDilley]]

====2014-07-28 – temporary shut-off of [[:Category:Semantic MediaWiki|Semantic MediaWiki]]====
From [[RayKing]]:  Ben shut off that extension because it was somehow being abused and we were seeing problems on [[ICANNWiki]] which shares the same server (these are the only 2 sites on this server).  I'm cc'ing Jonah (ICANNWiki) and Ben now, having just read the thread in your e-mail to see if there's a resolution to both issues. ~~ [[MarkDilley]]

====2014-02-24 – domain name .wiki====
Thoughts on moving this wiki from WikiIndex.org to Index.Wiki? I'd like to showcase this site as the main wiki directory as the new gTLD .wiki becomes available! [[Raymond King]] | <small>[[User talk:Rathbone|talk]]</small>

====2014-02-21 – ConfirmAccount====
I added {{Mw|Extension:ConfirmAccount|ConfirmAccount}} permission to [[sysop]]s as per the Feb 1 discussion below.  Let me know if I should undo. ~~ [[BrandonCsSanders]]
:''Yay!! Many thanks Brandon!  ~~ [[MarkDilley]]

====2014-02-17 – [[spam]] prevention====
Seems like there is a consensus for {{Mw|Extension:QuestyCaptcha|QuestyCaptcha}} vs. ConfirmAccount.  I can turn off {{Mw|Extension:ConfirmAccount|ConfirmAccount}} and do the Questy questions -- are there suggestions for questions that new legit users can answer and will stop the [[spam]]mers? [[Ray King]]
:[[smw:Special:UserLogin|Semantic-MediaWiki.org]] seems to have a good system. It removes a random letter from the wiki's name, and asks for a random number. '''[[User talk:Elassint|Elassint]]'''  17 February 2014

====2014-02-01 – {{Mw|Extension:ConfirmAccount|ConfirmAccount}}====
[[Ray King]] brought up the point again of making this wiki confirm by admin to ok the account, I have previously not liked that... but looking at all the account creation spam am open to reconsidering it... how do other folks feel?  Best, [[MarkDilley]]
:Wholly cow it's gotten bad, thoughts?  Shall we and if so who's got the credentials to do it? [[Ray King]]
::I like my filters blocking most of them :D --[[YiFei]] | <small>[[User talk:Zhuyifei1999|talk]]</small> 04:01, 9 February 2014 (UTC)
:::I think [[Emufarmers]] does. ~~ [[MarkDilley]]

I think the problem is the capatcha asks for the name of the wiki and nothing else, which the spambots have already memorized. We need something more effective. '''[[User talk:Elassint|Elassint]]'''  9 February 2014
:We use QuestyCaptcha on tfwiki.net too, but we've had to change the questions semi-regularly (every few months or so) because the spammers work out the answer. Once we change the question, it stops them dead again though. --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 23:22, 9 February 2014 (UTC)
::Yea, we should try this simple solution first before trying something different. '''[[User talk:Elassint|Elassint]]'''  15 February 2014
How do we change the QuestCaptcha? Or stop account creation from being shown in RecentChanges? ~~ ~~
:{{Mw|Manual:LocalSettings.php|LocalSettings.php}} has to be edited. [[Special:Contributions/68.57.45.104|68.57.45.104]] 01:48, 12 February 2014 (UTC)

:We installed {{Mw|Extension:ConfirmAccount|ConfirmAccount}} as a stop gap measure - maybe too draconian but wanted to protect the wiki [[Ray King]]
::Bad that only '[[crat]]s (which we doesn't many active ones) can confirm accounts --[[YiFei]] | <small>[[User talk:Zhuyifei1999|talk]]</small> 05:12, 15 February 2014 (UTC)
:::Yea, if we go so far to require confirmed accounts than we need to either set the permission to [[sysop]] or create more crats. '''[[User talk:Elassint|Elassint]]'''  15 February 2014
::::Ok, so should we make some more crats or should we turn off the ConfirmAccount and try questy captcha first (and if so how do we determine what are good questions)? [[Ray King]]
:I like the idea Elassint brought up if we are going to use this one, change the permissions to sysop.  ~~ [[MarkDilley]]

====2014-01-15 – wiki a month====
Stumbled onto this idea on the [[Semantic MediaWiki|Semantic MediaWiki.org]] wiki, highlighting a [[smw:Wiki of the Month#Nominate a wiki|wiki a month]]?  Should like a good idea here? Best, [[MarkDilley]]
:Sounds good, we could feature it on the home page [[Raymond King]] | <small>[[User talk:Rathbone|talk]]</small>
::'''I agree''' Let's spotlight some more interesting small wikis and ones that have unique features. We could probably do it on a weekly basis. [[User:Koavf|Koavf]] ([[User talk:Koavf|talk]]) 06:37, 22 January 2014 (UTC)

====2013-06-24 – [[Form:Wiki]]====
I have added [[Template:Size]] to [[Form:Wiki]]. Now when you [[WikiIndex:Add a Wiki|add a wiki]], you can input the size too. --[[YiFei]] | <small>[[User talk:Zhuyifei1999|talk]]</small> 06:13, 24 June 2013 (UTC)
:That is great!  How easy do you think it would be for [[wikiFactor]]? :-)  ~~ [[MarkDilley]]
::What? --[[YiFei]] | <small>[[User talk:Zhuyifei1999|talk]]</small> 00:18, 25 June 2013 (UTC)
:::In the size template, there is also a [[wikiFactor]], you put size into form wiki, can you do the same for wikiFactor? or can you show me?  Best, [[MarkDilley]]
::::Already there. See [[Special:FormEdit/Wiki/WikiIndex:Sandbox]]. --[[YiFei]] | <small>[[User talk:Zhuyifei1999|talk]]</small> 05:26, 2 July 2013 (UTC)

====2013-06-20 – [[Special:Gadgets|gadgets]]====
I installed some basic [[Special:Gadgets|gadgets]] for now, didn't want to go too crazy. I added a gadget to display a UTC clock for those who prefer that, a gadget for a purge tab/page refresh option, wikiED (since we don't have the WikiEditor extension, I added this for those who want something similar). I also added an enhanced CharInsert option (you can see the difference when editing pages, as it's enabled by default, makes the custom character insert page a nice looking drop-down menu with easy to select options) and a 'Sandbox' page option for those who want to do test edits (also enabled by default), and navigation popups, which allows people to see snippets of pages when hovering over links, as well as providing some extra editing options.

If you want me to change or remove anything, I'd be happy to. The gadgets that are enabled by default can be easily modified to be optional, and all of these gadgets can be enabled or disabled in the preferences.  [[User:Arcane|Arcane]] ([[User talk:Arcane|talk]]) 21:23, 20 June 2013 (UTC)

====2013-05-27 – tech news?====
[[Wikimedia Meta-Wiki]] is organizing information in a really interesting way, both from an information architecture and design view.  {{WMF-Meta|Tech/News/2013/22|Tech / News / 2013 / 22}} is a nice example.  Impressed, [[MarkDilley]]

====2013-05-20 – lost edits :-(====
Edits made after around 2 AM UTC were lost today - [[Emufarmers]] has [[Upgrade]]d software and extensions, still has a few to install, if he decides to.  Bug reports need more detail. ~~ [[MarkDilley]]

====2012-04 – unified [[Form:Wiki]]====
I have unified [[Form:Wiki]] and [[Template:Wiki]], so now, when you click on 'edit with form' tab, the form is autofilled.

Also, I'm [https://WikiIndex.org/index.php?title=Special:Contributions&dir=prev&offset=20120405171947&limit=500&contribs=user&target=Emijrpbot&namespace=0 creating thousands of new wikis], from [[:Category:Referata|Referata]], [[:Category:Wikkii|Wikkii]], and [[:Category:Wikia|Wikia]]. [[User:Emijrp|emijrp]] 04:08, 6 April 2012 (PDT)
:Cool. There a Wikia version of Form:Wiki? (in the style of [[Template:Wikia boilerplate]] ) --[[User:EarthFurst|EarthFurst]] 12:25, 16 May 2012 (PDT)

::[[Template:Wikia boilerplate]] [{{fullurl:Special:WhatLinksHere/Template:Wikia_boilerplate|hidelinks=1}} isn't being used]. There's nothing special on Wikia wikis except adding [[:Category:Wikia]]. --[[User:Ciencia Al Poder|Ciencia Al Poder]] 14:16, 16 May 2012 (PDT)
:::The Wikia boilerplate template definitely IS being used - virtually every Wikia entry on here that I've personally edited is based on or updated with the boilerplate.  The 'WhatLinksHere' command won't work (nor will it work on any boilerplate) - the boilerplates are simply used as a 'copy and paste' to assist experienced [[editor]]s.  And Wikia wikis have some very unique attributes, which is why the Wikia boilerplate is so useful.  Best regards [[User:Hoof Hearted|Hoof Hearted]] • <small>[[User talk:Hoof Hearted|talk2HH]]</small> 16:20, 31 August 2012 (PDT)

:Add [[Template:Size]] to Form:Wiki ? --[[User:EarthFurst|EarthFurst]] 09:48, 12 June 2012 (PDT)

::'edit with form' doesn't seem to work well with 'Show preview'. Tried 'edit with form' and 'Show preview' and gave up after getting no Preview after six minutes. Retried same edit with traditional 'edit' and the 'Show preview' worked fine. --[[User:EarthFurst|EarthFurst]] 14:55, 16 June 2012 (PDT)

Edit with form seems to remove editmode line from infobox. Is that intentional? --[[User:EarthFurst|EarthFurst]] ([[User talk:EarthFurst|talk]]) 02:01, 14 August 2012 (PDT)

====2012-01 – spam fighting====
[[:Category:SpamFighting|Spam fighting]], less [[spam]] fighting but it is still here with account spam.  [[Ray King]] raised the question with me of requiring accounts to be authorized as a way to try and cut spam down to zero.  We both loathe this option... but...  we wanted to put it out to folks, especially the heros of spam fighting on [[WikiIndex]] - to see what you thought about it.  Best, [[MarkDilley]]
::It's nowhere as bad as it once was, so for the moment, I don't think it's necessary. The anon edits were the real pain and they are mostly gone now, so I think that going to a account authorization system would place more of a load on the Admin I think at least. [[User:TeraS|TeraS]]
:::From my own experience of discovering and flagging spam, I've noticed that the spammers are now 'registered users'.  So, can we say have a minimum edit count (maybe 10 edits) before even registered users can add links . . . or would that put off someone who genuinely wants to add a new valid wiki?  --[[User:Hoof Hearted|Hoof Hearted]] • <small>[[User talk:Hoof Hearted|talk2HH]]</small> 01:26, 26 January 2012 (PST)
:I think this is an ok idea, is there a way that we can message around it?  Also, I am wondering if we have to do what [[Ray King]] asked - do we require people to request accounts? Best, [[MarkDilley]]

SOPA fighting.  What do folks think about adding WikiIndex to this: http://SopaStrike.com - I would like to if [[Talk:Community portal/News#SOPA strike|there is general consensus]].  Best, [[MarkDilley]]
* Sounds like a worthy protest. I think WikiIndex should join the strike. --[[User:EarthFurst|EarthFurst]] 10:01, 16 January 2012 (PST)

Spam fighting, spam fighting and more spam fighting.  Special mention goes to [[User:TeraS|Tera]] for her spam fighting work the last 6 months (or more) and to many others who carried the torch before.  We now have [[WikiIndex:Spam Control Policy#Level 3.5 - CAPTCHA|CAPTCHA]] on account creation and on anonymous edits.  Didn't want to have to do it on anonymous edits without a link, but we were getting hit pretty hard the last week.  Let's cross our fingers for a less spam 2012.  Best to everyone here.  ~~ [[MarkDilley]]

====2010-01 – [[WikiHorde]]====
Using this wiki to [http://www.PhoebeAyers.info/phlog/?p=1398 organize other wiki work], an idea, what you think? ~~ [[MarkDilley]]
:: ''The idea is called [[WikiHorde]] and it is a crew of wiki people (checking to see if we can get that domain) - Best, [[MarkDilley]]'''
::: That sounds like a cool idea. By the way, is there a place on WikiIndex for discussing ideas for running a wiki? That would include the above "good methods for inviting/advertising people elsewhere to come edit my wiki", etc. Is there a category for wiki where such "wiki on wiki" conversations are welcomed? Conversations such as, for example, the [http://wikispot.org/Building_community "Building community" guide]. --[[User:DavidCary|DavidCary]] 20:47, 30 January 2010 (EST)
: ''David, wiki on wiki is perfect here - however you want to organize it, and I will go for [[WikiHorde]] also!  Best, [[MarkDilley]]
Reddit [http://www.Reddit.com/r/geek/comments/8uxgl/allpinouts_a_wiki_for_connector_pinouts/ mention in comments]
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